As U.S. Senate Republicans fight against a package of changes to the health care legislation in their chamber today, North Carolina Republicans want to attack it from a legal front.

Phil Berger, Senate Republican leader in the state legislature, sent N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper a letter today, asking him to join 13 other states filling a lawsuit to question the constitutionality of Congress’ health care reform.

The lawsuit, filed right after President Obama signed the reform bill into law yesterday, is headed up by Florida’s attorney general and argues Congress overextended its authority with the mandate that nearly everyone carry health insurance.

Here was the Berger’s statement on the issue:

“We all must do our part to protect North Carolina’s citizens from this unprecedented and unconstitutional expansion of federal power being handed down in the form of health care mandates. North Carolina citizens should have the right to make their own health care decisions protected and only the Attorney General can file suit on behalf of their interests. I hope that Attorney General Cooper will do his part to see that the rights and freedoms of North Carolinians are safeguarded at the state level.”

Even though the main health reform bill is already approved, the U.S. Senate is taking up the changes the House made and voted for Sunday night. With only 51 votes needed to approve the bill, Republicans are hoping to win amendments or changes significant enough to create another showdown in the House.

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